CHISINAU, 28 October 2010 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Philip Remler, and Moldovan Defence Minister Vitalie Marinuta today signed a memorandum of understanding between the Mission and the Ministry to implement a comprehensive programme on small arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition.

"This programme will help the Republic of Moldova become a more secure place for its citizens," Remler said. "Thanks to better management of the stockpile and security of these weapons and ammunition, civilians living near storage sites will be safer. The programme will contribute to non-proliferation regional stability, and confidence and security building measures."

The Programme, which will run until the end of 2012, will apply best practices from the OSCE region in such areas as stockpile management and security, destruction of aerial bombs and air-launched rockets, and disposal of obsolete surface to air missiles.

The programme was developed by the OSCE in response to a request by the Defence Ministry of Moldova.

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